Category Archives: Drinks

Sorry for the blurry picture, it was early in the morning! My "Anti-Inflammatory" Smoothie

So the other day, I mentioned how I woke up with inflamed stiff joints in both of  my hands. I’m not sure if it’s related to all the wheat I ate over the weekend and the extra sweets from my son’s chocolate birthday cake (will post soon) but I sure feel better when I limit or avoid wheat (gluten) and sugars in my diet. How about you?

I had to teach that same morning, so I whipped up a smoothie that I like to call the “anti-inflammatory” smoothie. I drank a few shots before I tought my barre class. I made a little extra for the ladies to try at the studio too. Not sure if they liked it, but little do they know they are my guinea pigs for my recipes before I post them!

I like this article I found on Today’s Health written by Joy Bauer, RD, ” Fight Arthritis with These Foods.”  She suggests we add the following foods in our diet to help reduce arthritic pain.

• Omega 3 fatty acids:  Is considred an “esential fatty acid (EFA)because the human body cannot manufacture it and must come from food sources, such as salmon, sardines, fortified omega 3 eggs, walnuts, flax meal, and chia seeds. Omega 3 fatty acid actually works to decrease inflammation by suppressing the production of cytokines and enzymes that erode cartilages.(1)
• Antioxidants : specificallybeta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, anthocyanidins. Certain antioxidants may help to protect the body from the effects of free radicals, and are a critical part of an anti-inflammation diet. Research has demonstrated that certain antioxidants may help prevent arthritis, slow its progression and relieve pain. (1)
• Vitamin C: Most people associate vitamin C with supporting the immune system to help fight cold and flu, however, many peopel may not know that vitamin C is one of the nutrients most responsible for the collagen synthesis, a major component of cartilage.(1) Though it’s best to get your vitamin C from whole food sources, however if you choose to supplement avoid taking mega high doses for a long period of time or else it can have some side effects to your health such as making your arthritis worse, nausea, diarrhea, oxalate-containing kidney stones. (1, 2) Sources include: sweet peppers, guava, oranges, lemons, straberries, tomatoes, and kale just to name a few.
• Selenium: In a study of more than 900 people, those who had low levels of selenium were more likely to have osteoarthritis of the knee. People who ate very few selenium-rich foods were nearly twice as likely to have severe arthritis compared with those who ate a selenium-rich diet. (1) Food sources include: Brazil nuts, tuna (canned light is best~lower in mercury), shrimp, crab, oysters, lean meat, and wheat germ just to name a few.
• Spices: ginger and turmeric: Not only is ginger used to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. There is some promising evidence that the phytochemical in ginger called gingerol may help reduce pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (3)  Joy Bauer notes that ginger can act as a blood thinner so if you are on any blood thinning medications, take precaution. (1) Turmeric, also known as curcumin, may help arthritis by suppressing inflammatory body chemicals, according to some scientific studies. (4, 5) Try adding turmeric to your dinner, such as tofu, chicken or soup. Though I’m not  sure how it would taste in a smoothie!

Dr. Weil has a great overview on Osteoarthritis treatment, click here to read it. For my coffee loving friends,  you maybe dissapointed to find out that he suggests not drinking more than 2 cups of coffee per day in which it may contribute to calcium losses.

1. Add your liquid in a blender, I used purified water. Add remaining ingredients; blend until smooth. Serve immediately over ice or add ice in the blender to make a slushy type of smoothie. Enjoy!